ROCKY RIVER --
The Longhorns came up one hit short last night against baseball powerhouse Elyria Catholic, falling in extra innings 8-7 in a thrilling game on a beautiful night at Booster’s Field and Lutheran West. The season opener lived up to its billing as the Longhorns gave their fans a preview of what looks to be an exciting season.

Lutheran West fell behind early but refused to give in, scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh and another run in the eighth before falling short to the strong hitting Panthers. West had the winning run in scoring position with less than two outs in both the seventh and the eighth innings but failed to capitalize on the opportunities.

After falling behind 3-0 in the opening half of the first inning, Lutheran West sophomore starting pitcher Owen Albers (L, 0-1) settled down and left the game only down 5-3 after five innings of work. EC held a 6-3 lead going into the bottom of the seventh after scoring a run off sophomore relief pitcher Rory Zakareckis in his two innings of work. It was then that LW got to work, with senior Tommy Walker, Zakareckis and junior Scottie Berghaus all reaching bases with one out to start the inning. Junior Alex Robinson unloaded the bases with a two-run single to left to cut EC’s lead to 6-5 and put Berghaus on second representing the tying run. Junior Evan McCartney followed with a first-pitch single up the middle and the bases were again loaded. After a strikeout, junior Josh Cales tied the score by getting hit on the leg with the pitch. But the next Longhorn batter, Albers, flew out to end the threat with the game tied at 6, sending the game to extra innings.

The Longhorns again had a chance to win the game in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the eighth after sophomore Matt Brosky was touched up for two runs in the top of the inning. Walker led off the inning with a double. After Brosky lined out to left, Zakareckis singled. When Zakareckis stole second, Walker came home when the Panthers threw to second to try and nab Zakareckis. An infield single from Berghaus and an intentional walk to Robinson loaded the bases. Sophomore Jeremy Geye and freshman John Smolik, however, were unable to knock in Zakareckis or Berghaus to tie the score back up.

West stranded runners all game, leaving a total of 14 runners on base—12 in scoring position. They had 21 at bats with runners in scoring position and only 6 hits.

Albers threw five innings, allowing only four runs with one walk and two strikeouts.